The Ins. Co. wants to total my Bug!

Does anyone have any experience with their Bug getting squished by a
dweeb. His insurance company wants to total out my 1970 Convertible.
They offered me an amount based on two comparables. I thought they were
low and sent them some of my research on Hemmings, Samba, AutoTrader and
others that were much higher. Now they are sending an independent
appraiser to look at my Bug.

If we settle on $ what should I expect? Can a totaled car, that I buy
back as salvage, be re-insured? What about future resale value? How do I
keep from getting screwed?

I've already contacted a local licensed dealer to perform an appraisal on
my behalf if they try to low-ball me again.

I've never been in this situation before. Any advice is welcome.

(Oh...the good news is that my VW fixit guy says this Bug can be saved!)


Al Gilson
1970 Convertible (somewhat in need of repair)

--
Al Gilson
Spokane, WA USA
1970 VW Convertible
1964 Cessna Skyhawk

(Al Gilson) wrote:

>If we settle on $ what should I expect? Can a totaled car, that I buy
>back as salvage, be re-insured?

In the state of California, no it can not be insured again for collision.
Resale after you repair it will suffer horribly because the title will
say SALVAGED on it.
--
David Gravereaux >
[species: human; planet: earth,milkyway(western spiral arm),alpha sector]

>
>In the state of California, no it can not be insured again for collision.
>Resale after you repair it will suffer horribly because the title will
>say SALVAGED on it.
>--

I wonder about that. I would agree with if it were a new car, but an older car?
We all know that insurance companies are quick to junk older cars, so damage
that would be covered and repaired on a newer car are often refused on older
cars because the insurance company doesn't se the value in an older vehicle.
Don't you think that most buyers of older cars are aware of this? I'd say screw
the salvaged title and go ahead and have it repaired if you want to keep the
car. Case in point is a Bug I have was rear ended. The damage consisted of a
damaged rear apron, decklid and rear fender. All three panels needed to be
replaced but that was it. The insurance company though junked the car just
because of that. Its purely a financial decision on the part of the insurance
company and not a statement on the actual state of the vehicle. Just some food
for thought.
--Dan E

ojunk (Braukuche) wrote:

>I'd say screw
>the salvaged title and go ahead and have it repaired if you want to keep the
>car.

agreed, don't let your insurance (or was it there's?) total your car.
Make them fix it, or accept a settlement that allows you to pay for it
getting fixed.
--
David Gravereaux >
[species: human; planet: earth,milkyway(western spiral arm),alpha sector]

Did you already accept salvage value? If it's the other guys fault the law
does say it's his responsibility (which then falls to his insurance co) to
return your car to it's previous condition *without* totaling it.

This is one case where it would be worth getting an attourney involved on
your side.

"David Gravereaux" > wrote in message
...
> ojunk (Braukuche) wrote:
>
>>I'd say screw
>>the salvaged title and go ahead and have it repaired if you want to keep
>>the
>>car.
>
> agreed, don't let your insurance (or was it there's?) total your car.
> Make them fix it, or accept a settlement that allows you to pay for it
> getting fixed.
> --
> David Gravereaux >
> [species: human; planet: earth,milkyway(western spiral arm),alpha sector]

I totally agree with ED....
I have a 1984 Dodge ramcharger.... that was bumped and bent my bumper and
the other guys insurance wanted to total it....

I told them to "bite the big one" I have totally restored this truck ground
up....
I did tell them I wanted $2500.00 settlement for damages and I would not
call my attorney and sue them for my neck which was getting sore from the
accident....

The next afternoon they cheerfully called me back and offered me $2500.00
cashier check.... I went down and picked it up and cashed it at their bank
less than one hour later....

They were very helpful.....

So do not take their crap man....They do not care about you, your vehicle,
or your life, it is about the all mighty dollar to them....and they must
have realized that a head and neck injuries are almost impossible to
disprove.....Save a bug as they are a vanishing species....

P.S. not only did I get a new bumper but I painted my truck and had the
tranny re-built....and still had enough to buy me a new BBQ.....

I think of them with every steak we cook now.....

Kev (just my 2 cents)
"Ed B" > wrote in message
...
> Did you already accept salvage value? If it's the other guys fault the law
> does say it's his responsibility (which then falls to his insurance co) to
> return your car to it's previous condition *without* totaling it.
>
> This is one case where it would be worth getting an attourney involved on
> your side.
>
> "David Gravereaux" > wrote in message
> ...
> > ojunk (Braukuche) wrote:
> >
> >>I'd say screw
> >>the salvaged title and go ahead and have it repaired if you want to keep
> >>the
> >>car.
> >
> > agreed, don't let your insurance (or was it there's?) total your car.
> > Make them fix it, or accept a settlement that allows you to pay for it
> > getting fixed.
> > --
> > David Gravereaux >
> > [species: human; planet: earth,milkyway(western spiral arm),alpha
sector]
>
>

"Kev_Ceri" > wrote in message news:<0k_fd.49752$%x.44266@okepread04>...
> I totally agree with ED....
> I have a 1984 Dodge ramcharger.... that was bumped and bent my bumper and
> the other guys insurance wanted to total it....
>
> I told them to "bite the big one" I have totally restored this truck ground
> up....
> I did tell them I wanted $2500.00 settlement for damages and I would not
> call my attorney and sue them for my neck which was getting sore from the
> accident....
>
> The next afternoon they cheerfully called me back and offered me $2500.00
> cashier check.... I went down and picked it up and cashed it at their bank
> less than one hour later....
>
> They were very helpful.....
>
> So do not take their crap man....They do not care about you, your vehicle,
> or your life, it is about the all mighty dollar to them....and they must
> have realized that a head and neck injuries are almost impossible to
> disprove.....Save a bug as they are a vanishing species....
>
> P.S. not only did I get a new bumper but I painted my truck and had the
> tranny re-built....and still had enough to buy me a new BBQ.....
>
> I think of them with every steak we cook now.....
>
> Kev (just my 2 cents)
> "Ed B" > wrote in message
> ...
> > Did you already accept salvage value? If it's the other guys fault the law
> > does say it's his responsibility (which then falls to his insurance co) to
> > return your car to it's previous condition *without* totaling it.
> >
> > This is one case where it would be worth getting an attourney involved on
> > your side.
> >
> > "David Gravereaux" > wrote in message
> > ...
> > > ojunk (Braukuche) wrote:
> > >
> > >>I'd say screw
> > >>the salvaged title and go ahead and have it repaired if you want to keep
> > >>the
> > >>car.
> > >
> > > agreed, don't let your insurance (or was it there's?) total your car.
> > > Make them fix it, or accept a settlement that allows you to pay for it
> > > getting fixed.
> > > --
> > > David Gravereaux >
> > > [species: human; planet: earth,milkyway(western spiral arm),alpha
> sector]
> >Al, I read your post about your bug getting hit. Here
is my experience <I also live in Spokane - South Hill>
I got t-boned in an intersection. The other driver was
at fault. Her insurance company totaled my 73 bug and
gave me $2000.00 salvage value which I was happy with.
I had to turn my title back to the State. I have been
tinkering with it for the last 2 years off and on -
replaced the front axle beam - gas tank - front fender
etc. It is now driveable so I took it the State Police
office in airway heights and got their inspection to
re apply for a new title. The inspection went fine, I
applied for a new title - got one with no problem and
no where on it does it say "Salvage". I also got
insurance on it with no problem. I am going to take it
soon for paint job. I have owned my bug since 91 and
wasn't about to give up on it.

Hope this helps Dan
> >

>> >Al, I read your post about your bug getting hit. Here
>is my experience <I also live in Spokane - South Hill>
>I got t-boned in an intersection. The other driver was
>at fault. Her insurance company totaled my 73 bug and
>gave me $2000.00 salvage value which I was happy with.
>I had to turn my title back to the State. I have been
>tinkering with it for the last 2 years off and on -
>replaced the front axle beam - gas tank - front fender
>etc. It is now driveable so I took it the State Police
>office in airway heights and got their inspection to
>re apply for a new title. The inspection went fine, I
>applied for a new title - got one with no problem and
>no where on it does it say "Salvage". I also got
>insurance on it with no problem. I am going to take it
>soon for paint job. I have owned my bug since 91 and
>wasn't about to give up on it.
>
> Hope this helps Dan
>> >

Excellent Dan!..............I love to hear something go right in a bad
situation like that..............Good to know someone made out well
with a totalled bug.
Congratulations on that!




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MUADIB®

http://www.angelfire.com/retro/sster...IN%20PAGE.html

one small step for man,.....
One giant leap for attorneys.

Don't take any crap from them. They are obligated to either fix your car,
or pay you for it - plus provide a rental car while your's is in the shop
(or untill they pay you for it).
I would take it to your body guy & have him fix it with all new OEM parts
(don't accept aftermarket unless OEM is not available) it & make the ins.
co. foot the bill. Don't let them total it unless they pay you a *very*
good price for it.
HTH,
~ Paul
aka "Tha Driver"

Giggle Cream - it makes dessert *funny*!